On-Premise vs Off-Premise Alcohol Permits in Texas
In Texas, an on-premise permit lets a business sell alcohol for people to drink there, like a bar or restaurant. An off-premise permit lets a business sell alcohol to take home, like a liquor store or grocery store. A few permits allow both, and the to-go rules depend on which one a business holds.
The short version
| On-premise | Off-premise | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it's consumed | At the business | Somewhere else |
| Typical businesses | Bars, restaurants, clubs, stadiums, hotels | Liquor stores, grocery and convenience stores |
| Main permits | MB, BG, BE, N, NB, NE | P, Q, BQ, BF |
| Public monthly sales | Yes, for MB and private clubs | No |
| 60-day sign for new locations | Yes, if the spot wasn't licensed in the last two years | No |
On-premise permits
| Code | Name | Serves | Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| MB | Mixed Beverage Permit | Liquor, wine and beer | about 20,900 |
| BG | Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer's Permit | Beer and wine, on site or to go | about 10,500 |
| BE | Retail Dealer's On-Premise License | Beer | 711 |
| N, NB, NE | Private club permits | Members (and guests for NE) | 636 N |
More detail: Mixed Beverage Permits, BG vs BE and private club permits.
Off-premise permits
| Code | Name | Sells to go | Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | Package Store Permit | Liquor, wine and beer: the liquor store permit | about 3,700 |
| Q | Wine-Only Package Store Permit | Wine and beer | about 6,000 |
| BQ | Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer's Off-Premise Permit | Beer and wine: most grocery and convenience stores | about 18,000 |
| BF | Retail Dealer's Off-Premise License | Beer | 315 |
Package stores can also hold tastings on site, and a package store with a Local Distributor's Permit (LP) is where bars with a Mixed Beverage Permit buy their liquor. Stores holding a BQ or BF must post TABC's sign saying drinking on the premises is prohibited.
Where the line blurs: to-go drinks
- Bars and restaurants with an MB can sell any alcohol to go only with a Food and Beverage Certificate (FB), and only alongside a food order.
- BG and BE holders can sell to go in containers they seal themselves, with no food order needed.
- Off-premise stores (P, Q, BQ, BF) sell only in unopened containers sealed by the manufacturer.
- Delivery works differently for each permit. See who can deliver alcohol in Texas.
Why only on-premise sales are public
Bars with a Mixed Beverage Permit and private clubs pay mixed beverage taxes and report their liquor, wine and beer sales to the Texas Comptroller every month, location by location, and the State publishes those reports. Stores selling to go collect regular sales tax instead, which isn't reported by product, so alcohol sales at a liquor store or grocery store aren't public. How the taxes differ, with current rates.
Browse every on-premise license in your area, or see which bars sell the most. All licenses
Sources: TABC License and Permit Types · TABC Alcohol Delivery and Pickup · TABC Sign Requirements. This guide explains what public records show; it isn't legal advice. Check with TABC before acting on a licensing question.
Questions
What does on-premise mean for a liquor license?
On-premise means the alcohol is sold to be consumed at the business itself, like a drink at a bar or restaurant.
What does off-premise mean in Texas?
Off-premise means the alcohol is sold to take somewhere else, like a bottle from a liquor store or a six-pack from a grocery store.
Can a Texas business hold both on-premise and off-premise permits?
Yes. A BG permit covers beer and wine for both, and some businesses hold separate permits for each. Bars with a Mixed Beverage Permit can also sell to go when they hold a Food and Beverage Certificate and the drinks go with food.
Are liquor store sales public in Texas?
No. Only bars, restaurants and clubs with Mixed Beverage or private club permits report alcohol sales that the State publishes by location.